Augustine Franklin, 93, passed away quietly at the Bonne Vie Skilled Nursing facility in Port Arthur, Tx, on the morning of June 28, 2022,

Mrs. Augustine was born on December 31, 1928 in Lake Charles, LA to William and Ella Franklin.

The family then moved to Port Arthur in 1939.

She graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1946. She continued her education at Prairie View A&M college, earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1945 and later a master’s degree.

She was a good student and always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In high school, she developed an interest in financial affairs.

She worked for Mrs. Webb at her neighborhood store on Roosevelt Street. She started out in office work and eventually worked her way up to accounting. Later, before her retirement, she started an income tax business.

Ms. Franklin began her professional career with the Port Arthur Independent School District as a school secretary at Carver Elementary School.

After continuing her studies, she was very proud to become an elementary school teacher. She was a teacher and reading specialist at several schools in the district, including St. James Catholic School.

After 30 years of service, she retired. Moreover, she was well respected and often time was surprised by former students expressing their gratitude for teaching them by doing acts of kindness. For example, a former student surprised her by paying for her meal.

Ms Franklin was a longtime member of the Rock Island Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully until her health declined. While there, she served as a Sunday School teacher, superintendent and member of the scholarship committee, education department, vacation Bible school, as well as other ministries.

Later, Mrs. Franklin loved studying the Bible and for years was part of the local women’s interfaith study group.

She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Child Service League, and enjoyed tending to her plants in her yard.

Mrs. Augustine is predeceased by her parents, Sister Bernadette Franklin. She is survived by her loving cousins, Mildred Green Williams and her daughters, Gail Williams Watson and Charmaine W. Williams; devoted friends, Olivia E. Ghee, Marsha Ghee Fisk and Sandra Ford Castille; and a host of loving friends. A heartfelt thank you to his caregiver, Linda Polk.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 8, 2022, visitation from 9 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m., Rock Island Baptist Church.

Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.